How to Say ‘Be careful.’ in Japanese
気をつけて
ki o tsuke te
[kee oh tsoo-keh teh]
💬 Usage Tip: From [気をつける] (“to be careful”). [気をつけて] is casual—like “Take care!”
🇯🇵 In Japan: You may hear this from strangers after helping you, especially near busy crossings or at night—small kindness is common.
Phrase Breakdown
気
ki
[kee]
spirit / attention / care
気 (き) refers to your attention, mind, or condition. In directions/travel contexts, it’s used in warnings like “take care.”
夜は気をつけて駅まで行ってね。
Be careful when you go to the station at night, okay?
を
o
[oh]
object marker “o”
を marks the object of the verb. In 気をつけて, it marks 気 as what you “apply” attention to (i.e., be careful).
足元を気をつけて。
Watch your step / Be careful of your footing.
つけ
tsuke
[tsoo-keh]
attach / put on (as in “pay attention”)
つけ is from つける (“to attach/apply”). In 気をつけて it means “pay attention / be careful.” Often said when someone is leaving.
電車に乗るときは気をつけて。
Be careful when you get on the train.
て
te
[teh]
-te form (request/soft command)
て form can make a gentle request/command. 気をつけて = “Take care / Be careful.” Less formal than ください.
改札は混んでいるから、気をつけて。
The ticket gates are crowded, so be careful.
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